We, the residents of Scraptoft and surrounding areas, demand that Harborough District Council reject the proposed development of properties off Covert Lane.

This project threatens our community in serious ways:

• Increases flood risk in an area already devastated by recent floods
• Destroys precious green spaces, including mature oak trees vital for local wildlife
• Places intolerable strain on a dangerously already failing sewage system
• Exacerbates chronic traffic congestion and public safety risks
• Overloads already stretched schools, GP surgeries, and services
• Increases local crime and anti-social behaviour
• Damages the character, safety, and value of our homes

We moved to Scraptoft for peace, space, and community — we refuse to let irresponsible development destroy it.

We urge Harborough District Council to put existing residents first and STOP this development.

Environmental Damage and Flood Risk

Scraptoft has already suffered major flooding events in recent years, resulting in the destruction of homes and forcing residents to evacuate. Adding further hard surfacing through new developments will significantly increase surface water runoff, overwhelming an already struggling drainage system. Station Road is regularly flooded even without additional strain. Building more houses without comprehensive flood risk mitigation is irresponsible and endangers lives and properties.

Loss of Vital Natural Habitat

The proposed site includes stunning, mature oak trees and valuable green spaces, critical for both wildlife and the mental well-being of residents. Destroying these areas would permanently erase an irreplaceable part of Scraptoft’s character. At a time when councils are urged nationally to prioritize biodiversity and green spaces, allowing such destruction would be deeply negligent.

Sewage Infrastructure – A Serious Health and Safety Concern

Main Severn Trent sewage pipe that was described as a ‘ticking bomb’ by professional engineers a few years ago. The pipe was so dangerously overpressured that tests could not even be completed. Connecting more housing to this unstable system would be reckless in the extreme. There are frequent sewage spills visible on Station Lane. This is not just an inconvenience — it poses serious public health risks. Should the council approve any development linking to this existing infrastructure, residents will seek legal action on grounds of negligence and endangerment to public health.

Unbearable Traffic Congestion and Public Safety

Scraptoft’s road network is already at breaking point. Endless waterworks and closures have crippled traffic for years. Station Road becomes impassable during heavy rain, and the proposal will add hundreds of additional car movements per day onto an already gridlocked network. The safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and children commuting to school is being compromised.

Overloaded Services

Scraptoft’s essential services — schools, GP surgeries, shops — are already overstretched. There are no plans to expand infrastructure proportionally to match new population increases. This will lower the quality of services for existing residents, placing unfair strain on our community and damaging quality of life.

Increased Crime and Public Disorder

Since moving here, crime has noticeably increased. There have been multiple burglaries; I myself have had my vehicle broken into twice. It is well-documented that rapid, poorly-planned housing growth can lead to spikes in anti-social behaviour and crime rates, particularly when local amenities and policing are not proportionally increased.

Devaluation of Property and Erosion of Community Character

This reckless overdevelopment threatens to significantly devalue our homes and erode the rural, peaceful character of Scraptoft that was promised to us. Instead of a thoughtful community plan, it appears short-term profits are being prioritised at the expense of long-term community health and cohesion.

Procedural Failures and Lack of Genuine Consultation

There has been insufficient community engagement regarding this development. Many residents feel ignored and excluded from a process that affects their homes, health, and futures. The council has a duty under the Localism Act 2011 to give genuine weight to local views — not simply to “consult” for appearance’s sake.

In Conclusion:

This proposal represents environmental destruction, infrastructure failure, traffic chaos, increased crime, devaluation of our properties, and irreparable harm to our community. It would be a betrayal of the people you are supposed to represent to allow this to proceed.

I urge Harborough District Council to reject this application decisively, and to prioritise the wellbeing, safety, and voices of existing residents over short-sighted and damaging development.